Apparatus for dyeing continuous lengths of fabric



A. ZANGER Nov. 22, 1955 APPARATUS FOR DYEING CONTINUOUS LENGTHS OF FABRIC 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 16, 1951 INVENTOR. ARNOLD ZANGER Nov. 22, 1955 A. ZANGER 2,724,254

APPARATUS FOR DYEINO CONTINUOUS LENGTHS OF FABRIC Filed May 16, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ]N |-1;'N TOR. ARNOLD ZANGER A. ZANGER Nov. 22, 1955 APPARATUS FOR DYEING CONTINUOUS LENGTHS OF FABRIC 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 16, 1951 INVENTOR. ARNOLD ZANGER BY AWE/SW5) United States Patent APPARATUS FOR DYEING CONTINUOUS LENGTHS 0F FABRIC Arnold Zanger, West Englewood, N. J.

Application May 16, 1951, Serial No. 226,636

8 Claims. (Cl. 68-22) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in apparatus for dyeing continuous lengths of fabric.

More particularly, the present invention proposes novel apparatus for continuously dyeing lengths of fabric which permits of even coloration throughout the entire length and in which complete control of shrinkage is had throughout the entire dyeing process so as to maintain such shrinkage at a minimum.

rnother object of the present invention proposes constructing the apparatus to include adjacent vats contain ing solutions through which the fabric is continuously trawn in a manner to wet the fabric preparatory to actual dyeing after which the fabric is drawn through the dye liquor and finally through the developer solution to set the color.

A further object of the present invention proposes providing opposed sets of bands which are moved in unison through the vats and which are arranged to clamp the fabric along its longitudinal edges to maintain the same taut during the entire dyeing operation to prevent excessive shrinkage.

Still further, the present invention proposes stretching the fabric prior to actual gripping of the same by the bands and after release of the fabric by the bands.

The present invention further proposes arranging wringer rollers through which the bands are passed as they move out of each vat for squeezing excess moisture from the fabric before the fabric is allowed to pass into the next successive vat.

A further object of the present invention proposes constructing the dyeing apparatus to have a pair of adjacent vats for containing the dye liquor and which vats are mounted on a slide to be successively brought into position to have the fabric passed therethrough in a manner to have the apparatus operate continuously and not require the apparatus to be stopped to renew the dye liquor or to substitute a dye liquor of a different color.

Still another object proposes providing means for raising the idler rollers and the bands out of the dye vat in use so that the vats containing the dye liquors can be in terchanged after which the idler rollers and bands can be lowered into the fresh vat of dye liquor in a manner to permit the dyeing operation to continue uninterrupted.

It is a further object of the present invention to construct an improved fabric dyeing apparatus which is simple and durable, which is effective for its intended purpose and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus of the present invention for carrying out the dyeing of a continuous piece of fabric in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of one pair of band guiding rollers looking in the direction of the line 22 of Fig. 1 and with portions thereof broken away to reveal interior construction.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of one of the idler rollers looking in the direction of the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevational view of one set of wringer rollers looking in the direction of the line 44 of Fig. 1 and with parts thereof broken away to reveal in torior construction.

Fig. 5 is a partial end elevational view looking in the direction of the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of one of the fabric moving bands.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the other of the fabric moving bands.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 1, but illustrating the dyeing apparatus constructed in accordance with a modification of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 99 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the end members forming part of the carriage used in the form of the in vention illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9.

The apparatus for continuously dyeing a piece of fabric, according to the present invention, includes a platform 10 which is preferably supported in an elevated position. Resting on the top of the platform in a straight line, there is a series of three vats 11, 12 and 14. The vat 11 contains a wetting solution such as hot water for thoroughly wetting the fabric to be dyed prior to immersing it in the dye solution. The vat 12 contains the dye solution and the vat 14 contains the developer for setting the dye. Thus, the apapratus is one for dyeing with a dye liquor which requires a developer for setting the color. The apparatus can easily be adapted for dyeing using conventional vat dyes in which case the vat 14 is to be eliminated or it may be used for containing a washing solution for removing excess dye from the fabric after it passes from vat 12. The level of the solutions in the vats 11, 12 and 14 is indicated by the letters A on Fig. 1.

On the drawing, the vats 11, 12 and 14 are shown as being open at their tops, but if desired they can be provided with suitable covers having slots for permitting the fabric to be dyed to be continuously moved into and out of those vats. Also, suitable heaters 12 may be provided within the vats for maintaining the solutions at the desired temperature for best carrying out the dyeing operation and the interior of the vat 12 is preferably provided with a suitable agitator 12" for keeping the dye liquor in motion for accomplishing even dyeing of the fabric.

The fabric 15 is continuously drawn from a source, not shown, and is fed in the direction of the arrows B on Fig. 1, into the vat 11 and through the vats 12 and 14 in succession. Upon completion of the dyeing operation, the fabric 15 is again wound into a bolt by apparatus not shown. Upon leaving the source and before being rewound into the bolt, the fabric 15 passes beneath cloth tensioning rollers 16. The tensioning rollers 16 are suitably rotatively supported and are drawn down by means of springs 17 for stretching the cloth in the length. The first tensioning roller 16 stretches the cloth prior to starting the dyeing operation so as to take the color smoothly and the last tensioning roller 16 stretches the fabric to remove any slight shrinkage that may have taken place during the dyeing operation.

After being stretched in the length by the first tensioning roller 16, the fabric is clamped along its longitudinal edges, see particularly Figs. 2 to 4, between parallel sets of flexible bands. Each set of bands'comprises a continuous band 18 and a continuous band 19 made of stain-' less steel or other inert flexible material. The bands 18 and 19 are somewhat wider than they are thick so that the bands are not flexible in the width or in a plane parallel to the plane of the fabric 15. The bands are supported to move into and out of the various vats 11, 12 and 14 by being passed over idler rollers 20 supported within or above or below the vats 10, 12 and 14 so that the bands 18 and 19 of each set move parallelly to the bands of the other set. All during their movement into and out of the vats, the bands 18 and 19 are in face to face contact with the edges of the fabric in position therebetween. Extended from the face of the band 18 there is a continuous row of evenly spaced pointed pins 21. The pins 21 pass through the fabric 15 and extend into complementary holes 22 formed in the adjacent. face of the band 19. The holes 22 are arranged in an evenly spaced line matching the spacing of the pins 21. Thus, the bands 18 and 19 function to hold the fabric taut all during the dyeing operation so as to nearly completely eliminate all possible shrinkage of the fabric 15 during the dyeing operation.

At the points where the bands 18 and 19 pick up the fabric 15 and again release the fabric, the bands are brought into juxtaposition and again separated by suitable band guide rollers 23. Each set of band guide rollers 23 is alike in construction with constructional details of one of the sets being shown in Fig. 2. Extending from the ends of the band guide rollers 23, there are trunnions 24 which are rotatively supported in suitable stationarily mounted brackets 25. Adjacent their ends, the band guide rollers 23 are formed with peripheral aligned grooves 26 of a depth to receive the bands 18 and 19. Evenly spaced radially extended pins 27 are mounted Within the grooves 26 of each of the guide rollers 23. The pins 27 are provided for engaging complementary recesses. 28 formed in the adjacent faces of the bands 18 and 19 for insuring the movement of the bands in synchronisrn so that the ends of the pins 21 will be received in their corn.- plementary holes 22. The rollers 23 are also locked to gethcr for synchronized rotation so that the pins 27 can function as described. The locking together of the band guide rollers 23 is accomplished by a gear 29 on one of the trunnions 24 which engages a complementary gear 30 mounted on the adjacent trunnion of the other roller 23.

Suitable power means, not shown, is provided for advancing the bands 18 and 19 and if desired, the power means could be arranged to drive one of the band guide rollers 23 of each set so as to insure synchronized movement of the bands 18 and 19 at the desired rate of speed.

The idler rollers are all alike in construction and each is constructed to have trunnions 31, see Fig. 3, which extend concentrically from the ends thereof and which are rotatively supported in bearing blocks 32. The hearing blocks 32 are secured by suitable screws 33 to the inner faces of the opposed walls of the vats 11, 12 and 14 or to suitable brackets at the required locations. Adjacent their ends, the idler rollers 20 have circumferential grooves 34 to accommodate the band 18 or 19 on the one side of the fabric 15 so that the fabric can pass over the idler rollers in facial contact therewith. In the case of those idler rollers 20 where no fabric passes over the same, the grooves 34 function to maintain the parallel relationship of the bands 18 and 19.

As the fabric 15 and the bands 18 and 19 pass out of each vat 11, 12 or 14, they pass between sets of wringer rollers 35 and 36 which function to slightly squeeze the fabric 15 to remove the excess solution from the fabric as it leaves one vat and before it enters the next vat. The rollers 36 of each set of wringer rollers are alike and as shown in Fig. 4, each roller 36 is hard throughout its entire length and has trunnions 37 extending concentrically from the ends thereof and rotatively supported in bearing brackets 38 projected above each of the vats 11, 12 and 14. Adjacent their ends, the rollers 36 are formed with circumferential grooves 39- for accommodating the bands 19. The grooves 39 are of a depth corresponding to the 4 thickness of the bands 19 so that the fabric 15 will move over the rollers 36 in facial contact therewith.

Each of the other rollers of the wringer roller sets, is constructed to include a hard metallic core covered over its entire length by a thick resilient sleeve of rubber 41 which is vulcanized or otherwise adhered to the metallic core 40. The resilient sleeve 41 functions to press the fabric 15 against the roller 36 to squeeze the excess moisture therefrom so that it can fall back into the respective vat. At its ends, the resilient sleeve 41 is formed with circumferential grooves 42 in alignment with the grooves 39 of the roller 36 and for accommodating the bands 18. The grooves 42 are somewhat deeper than the thickness of the bands 18 so that the sleeve 41 will not roll on those bands and offer any resistance to compression of the sleeve 41 against the roller 36.

Extending concentrically from the ends of the core 40 of each of the rollers 35, there are trunnions 43 which are rotatively supported in bearing blocks 44 slidably supported in slots 45 extended inward from the free top ends of the bearing brackets 38. Extending inward from walls of the bearing brackets 33 defining the slots 45, there are ribs 46 which engage complementary grooves 47 in the sides of the bearing blocks 44 for guiding sliding movements of the rollers 35 toward and away from the rollers 3-6.

The top ends of the slots 45 are closed by blocks 48 which are retained. in a fixed position by means of pins 49 extending in from opposite sides of the bearing brackets 38. Expansion springs 50 operate between the adjacent faces of the bearing blocks 44 and the fixed blocks 48 for urging the rollers 35 resiliently toward the rollers 36. The springs 58 are retained in position by having their ends engaged over studs 51 which extend toward one another from the adjacent faces of the blocks 44 and 48. Thus, the rollers 35 are maintained under sufficient tension to effectively operate in conjunction With the rollers 36 to squeeze all excess solutions from the fabric 15 as the fabric leaves each of the vats 11, 12 and 14.

After the fabric 15 leaves the vat 14 containing the developer solution and after the fabric has been passed through the last set of wringer rollers 35 and 36, the fabric, while still being retained taut by the bands 18 and 19', is led past a drier 52 which is supported in a position parallel to the path of movement of the fabric 15 from the last set of wringer rollers 35 and 36 to the last set of band guide rollers 23. The drier 52 is electrically operated and is connected in a suitable electric circuit 53 to be energized thereby.

In carrying out the method using the just described apparatus, the fabric 15 is drawn from its source and passed under the first fabric tensioning roller 16. From the roller 16 the fabric to be dyed is led to the first set of band guide rollers 23 to be clamped along its longitudinal edges between the bands 18 and 19 which are brought into juxtaposition by that first set of rollers 23. The bands 18 and 19 with the fabric clamped therebetween are then led successively into and out of the various vats 11, 12 and 14 by the idler rollers 20. In the vat 11, the fabric 15 is thoroughly moistened preparatory to the actual dyeing. As the fabric passes out of that vat 11, it is passed through the first set of wringer rollers 35 and 36 which. function to squeeze all the excess wetting solutionv from the fabric. The idler rollers 20 then guide the bands 18 and 19 together with the fabric 15 into the vat 12 of dyeing liquor. The vat 12 carries the greatest number of idler rollers 20 so as to increase the length of time that the fabric will be in the dyeing liquor. As the fabric passes out of the vat 12, it is passed through the second set of wringer rollers 35 and 36 which function to squeeze all the excess dye liquor from the fabric.

To conclude the actual dyeing operation, the idler rollers 20 lead the. bands 18 and 19 together with the fabricv 15 into the. vat 14 which contains the developer for setting the color. Again, as the fabric leaves the vat 14 it is passed through the last set of wringer rollers 35 and 36 to squeeze all the excess developer from the fabric. The fabric 15 is then moved past the drier 52 which thoroughly dries the same and then to the last set of band guide rollers 23. The last set of band guide rollers 23 function to separate the bands 18 and 19 releasing the longitudinal edges of the length of fabric which is now dyed and dried.

The dyed fabric is then passed under the final fabric tension roller 16 which functions to again stretch the fabric to remove any slight shrinkage which might have taken place and the fabric is then rewound into a bolt.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that the apparatus of the present invention is so constructed that the material is clamped in a taut condition and led through the entire dyeing operation in that taut condition to eliminate all possible shrinkage of the fabric. At all times, the grooves in the various rollers 20, 23, 35

r and 36 over which the bands 18 and 19 pass function to maintain the sets of bands in parallel relationship to one another so as to maintain the stretched'condition of the fabric.

The modified form of dyeing apparatus shown in Figs.

8 to 10, is characterized by the fact that the platform 10 is formed intermediate of its ends with a transversely extending dove-tailed groove 60 in which a slide 61, which is dove-tailed in cross-section, is slidably mounted. Positioned on the slide 61 in side by side relationship, there is a pair of vats 12 and 12 see particularly Fig. 9, for containing the dye liquor. By shifting the slide 61 in one direction or the other either the vat 12 or the vat 12 can be brought into alignment with the vats 11 and 14. By this construction afresh batch of dye liquor can be mixed in the one vat while the other vat is in use so that by merely interchanging the vats the apparatus can be in continuous use. I

The fabric and the-bands 18 and 19, after leaving the presser rollers 35 and 36, pass upward over a pair of stationarily mounted band guide rollers 23. Positioned in the vat 12 or 12 which is in use, there is a carriage 62 which mounts all of the rollers of the dye liquor vat over which the fabric 15 and the bands 18 and 19 must pass. Those rollers comprise a set of band guide rollers 23 at the entrance side of the vat, the idler rollers 20 and the presser rollers 35 and 36 over the discharge side of the vat. The presser rollers 35 and 36 are similar in construction to that described in connection with the first form of the invention, except that pins 27 similar to the pins 27 of the band guide rollers 23 are mounted in the grooves 39 of the roller '36. The pins 27 engage the recesses 28 of the band 19 to retain the bands against sliding relative to the presser rollers 35 and 36 when the carriage 62 is in its raised position, as will become clear as the specification proceeds.

The carriage 62 is constructed of a pair of laterally spaced end members 63 which depend downward into the vat 12 or 12 which is in use and which are connected together at their bottom ends by a tie piece 64, see Fig. 8. All rollers of the carriage 62 are rotatively supported between the adjacent faces of the end members 63.

Supported in an elevated position on poles 65 over the vat 12 or 12 which is in use, there is a frame 66. The bottom ends of the poles 65 are secured to the platform 10'. Rotatively supported between the platform 10 and the frame 66, there are four vertically extended shafts 67. Projections 68 extend from the outer faces of the end members 63 and are formed with internally threaded holes 69 through which the threaded top end portions of the shafts 67 are engaged. The bottom end of the one shaft 67 is connected to a reversible motor 70 mounted on the platform 10. Thus, that one shaft 67 can be turned by the motor 70 in one direction or the other.

The top ends of the shafts 67 are formed with enlarged portions 67 to be engaged by the projections 68 to restrict upward movement of the carriage 62. Sprockets 71 are fixedly mounted on the enlarged portions 67 and are engaged by a sprocket chain 72 to cause all of the shafts 67 to be turned in one direction or the other depending upon the direction in which the one shaft connected to the reversible motor 70 is being turned by that motor. Rotations of the shafts 67 will cause the carriage 62 to be raised or lowered depending upon the direction of rotation. When the carriage 62 is in its raised position, the bottom of the carriage will be raised completely out of the top of the vat which is in use so that the slide 61 can be shifted laterally to bring the other vat into position beneath the carriage 62 after which the shafts 67 can be turned in the proper direction to lower the carriage 62 into the fresh vat of dye liquor.

The fabric 15 and the bands 18 and 19 after leaving the presser rollers 35 and 36 of the carriage 62 pass upward over a second set of stationarily mounted band guide rollers 23 and then downward into the vat 14 containing the developing solution. When the carriage 62 is in its raised position, the fabric 15 and the bands 18 and 19 between the right-hand sets of band guide rollers 23 and the left-hand set of band guide rollers 23 and the presser rollers 35 and 36 will be left slack to depend downward between those sets of rollers. However, the pins 27 carried by the band guide rollers 23 and the pins 27' of the roller 36 of the set of presser rollers 35 and 36 will function to retain the slackened portions of the fabric 15 and the bands 18 and 19 from shifting their positions relative to those rollers. However, if any slight shifting should occur the same will be drawn taut again when the carriage 62 is lowered into the fresh vat 12 or 12 In feeding fabrics 15 into the apparatus to achieve the dyeing thereof, it is common practice to provide the leading edge with a lead piece of inexpensive fabric and to provide the trailing edge with a trailer piece also of an inexpensive fabric. Those lead pieces and trailer pieces are at least as long as the operative portions of the bands 18 and 19 of the apparatus and while the trailer piece of one length of fabric 15 is moving out of the apparatus and the lead piece of the next length of fabric 15 is being drawn into the apparatus, provides an ideal opportunity to raise the carriage 62 permitting the vats 12 and 12 to be interchanged after which the carriage 62 can again be lowered so that the fresh vat of dye liquor will be in position for that next length of fabric. The construction of the apparatus permits it to run continuously and yet the vats of dye liquor can be interchanged whenever necessary to provide a fresh batch of the color in use or to permit the color to be interchanged when desired.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1. Apparatus for continuously moving a length of fabric between rollers comprising, a pair of rollers in close proximity to each other, grooves on each end of said rollers, continuous bands in each groove of a thickness to provide a level surface with the rollers to receive the fabric therebetween, means on said bands engaging each other to provide synchronous movement and means on said bands engaging said fabric to hold it taut and thereby eliminate shrinkage.

2. Apparatus for continuously moving a length of fabric between rollers comprising, a pair of rollers in close proximity to each other, grooves on each end of said rollers, continuous bands in each groove of a thickness to provide a level surface with the rollers to receive the fabric therebetween, means on said bands engaging each other to provide synchronous movement and means on said bands engaging said fabric to hold it taut and .4 thereby eliminate shrinkage, said last named means comprising pins in one of said bands and complementary holes in the other of said bands, said pins extending through the fabric and seating in said holes.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said means to provide synchronous movement comprises holes in said bands and pins in said grooves seating in said holes to move the rollers synchronously.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said rollers include trunnion means and complementary gear means on said trunnions to lock the band rollers together.

5. Apparatus for continuously dyeing a length of fabric comprising, a plurality of vats arranged in a straight line, a platform retaining said vats, roller means mounted for guiding the fabric into and out of said vats, band means mounted on said rollers, one of said band means having extending pins, and the other band means including complementary grooves to secure the fabric, a groove in said platform, a slide received in said groove and one of said vats being mounted on said slide, a frame secured on said platform and extending over said last named vat, and carriage means secured on said frame and depending into said vat to allow replacement thereof when fresh material is to be used.

6. Apparatus for continuously dyeing a length of fabric comprising, a plurality of vats arranged in a straight line, a platform retaining said vats, roller means mounted for guiding the fabric into and out of said vats, band means mounted on said rollers, one of said band means having extending pins, and the other band means including complementary grooves to secure the fabric, a groove in said platform, a slide received in said groove and one of said vats being mounted on said slide, a frame secured on said platform and extending over said last named vat, and carriage means secured on said frame and depending into said vat to allow replacement thereof when fresh material is to be used, said last named means comprising opposed end plate members and projections on said plate members operative with said frame to raise and lower into said vat.

7. Apparatus for continuously dyeing a length of fabric comprising, a plurality of vats arranged in a straight line, a platform retaining said vats, roller means mounted for guiding the fabric into and out of said vats, band means mounted on said rollers, one of said band means having extending pins, and the other band means including complementary grooves to secure the fabric, a groove in said platform, a slide received in said groove and one of said vats being mounted on said slide, a frame secured on said platform and extending over said last named vat, and carriage means secured on said frame and depending into said vat to allow replacement thereof when fresh material is to be used, said last named means comprising opposed end plate members and projections on said plate members mounted on said frame to raise and lower into said vat, said frame including shafts secured thereto, said shafts extending through said projections, means to rotate said shafts in unison and drive means secured to one of said shafts.

8. Apparatus for continuously dyeing a length of fabric comprising, a plurality of vats arranged in a straight line, a platform retaining said vats, roller means mounted for guiding the fabric into and out of said vats, band means mounted on said rollers, one of said band means having extending pins, and the other band means including complementary grooves to secure the fabric, a groove in said platform, a slide received in said groove and one of said vats being mounted on said slide, a frame secured on said platform and extending over said last named vat, and carriage means secured on said frame and depending into said vat to allow replacement thereof when fresh material is to be used, said last named means comprising opposed end plate members and projections on said plate members mounted on said frame to raise and lower into said vat, said frame including shafts secured thereto, said shafts extending through said projections, means to rotate said shafts in unison and drive means secured to one of said shafts, said end plate member including portions extending above said vat, and presser rollers mounted in said extending portions through which the fabric is fed.

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